Sintering machine control



New. 1.4, 19337 R, Q MAGEE l 1,934,986

SINTERING MACHINE CONTROL Filed Aug. 15. 1932 5 Sheets-Shet l Nov. '14, 1933.' R MAGE '1,934,986

SINTERING MACHINE CONTROL Filed Aug'. 15. '1932 5 sheets-sheet 2 NOV. 1 4, 1933. R. MAGEE y 1,934,986

SINTERING MACHINE CONTROL Filed Aug. l5. 1932 j 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 14, 1933. R C, MAGEE 1,934,986

S INTERING .MACHINE CONTROL 5' Sheets-Shee't 4' QCM @MMMQZLM @a Patented` Nov. 1,4, l1933' SINTERING MACHINE CONTRGL Raymond-o. Magee, Buffalo, N. Y., mignon to American Ore Reclamation Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New York Application August 15, 1 932. Serial No. 628,803-

14 claims. `(cl. 26e-.21)

Thisinvention relates to sintering machines, and has to do with means for controlling the operation thereof.

In sintering machines of the Dwight & Lloyd type, pallets 4are propelled in a train along a track comprising an upper run and a lower run, the sintered material being discharged from the pallets at the delivery end of the machine. The pallets travel along the lower run of the tra-ck in `a continuous train and in enclvviseY contact, to

sprocket wheels at the receiving or feed end of the machine. The lower run is commonly provided with an' incline by means of which the pallets are delivered by gravity into predetermined position on the lower run, relativeto the sprocket wlseels. These wheels are provided with suitably d posed teeth which fenter pockets in the pallets and act, in the travel of the wheels, to elevate-the pallets andreturn them to the upper run ci the track. In the discharge of the sinter at the delivery end, a. gap is formed in the train of pallets and the sintered .material is broken olf, as the successive pallets enter the return bend at the delivery end, this breaking of the sinter resulting in small particles thereof being loosened. In the operation of the machine, some of the particles of the sintered material adhere. to Ithe wheels ofthe pallets and, in some instances, small amounts of the material to be sintered drop onto the lower run of the track.

In the normal operation of the machine, the pallets` travel along lthe lower run of the track and are successively delivered into position to receive the teeth of the sprocket wheels. However, it frequently happens that, due to the co1- lection of sintered material on the lower run of the track and other causes, the leading pallet on the lower run will stick in such a position that it is in the path of travel of the teeth of the sprocket wheels, but is not suiilciently advanced for the teeth to enter the pockets of the pallet.4 Under such conditions, the sprocket wheel teeth will strike the pallet frame with disastrous results. Usually, the pallet is broken, though there is always the'possibility that the teeth of the vsprocket wheels will be broken or the machine will be wrecked. The breaking of a pallet is objectionable as causingv considerable delay in the operation of the machine, aside from the cost of replacing the pallet. Breaking of the teeth of the sprocket wheels or wrecking of the machine `1 is, of course, much more serious than breaking a pellet..A This sticking of the pallet in position to be. struck by the teeth of the sprocket wheels is a serious problem in the operation oi thosev machines and, so far as I am aware, has not heretofore been solved ina satisfactory manner. vThe primary object of my invention is to provide simple and eiilcient control means for automaticaily stopping the operation of a sintering machine when a pallet-is so positioned as to be struck by the teeth of the sprocket wheel. with resulting damage to the pallet orto the machine. A'further object is to provide control means of the character stated whichcan be applied to a e5 sintering machine of ordinary construction without necessitating any material changes therein. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the 4drawings- Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view through a sintering machine to which my invention is applicable, this view being taken substantially on line 1-1 of Figure 2, parts being omitted for clearness; v

Figure 2 is. a fragmentary side view ci the feed end of the machine;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view, on an enlarged scale, of the feed end of the machine with control means in accordance with my invention applied, parts being omitted for clearness;

Figure 4 is a diagram of the control circuit and the motor circuit and associated parte;

Figure 5 is a section taken substantialiy on line 5-5 of Figure 3, on Aan enlarged scale, parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 6 is a section taken substantially on line'6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view'of the sprocket wheel switch, partly broken away and in section:

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially on line 8 8 of Figure 3, on an enlarged scale; v

Figure 9 is an outer ,side view of the track switch with the cover plate removed, taken substantially on linel 9 9 of Figure 3;

' Figures 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the successive steps in the normal operation of the control means; A

Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the opera- 100 tion of the control means when a pallet is stuck` on the lower run of the track in position to be struck by the teeth of the sprocket wheels;

Figure 413 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the` control means when the leading pallet on the lower runof the track iss'tuck in a position to clear the teeth of the sprocket wheels.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to a machine ofl known type. This machine comprises a frame 1 at the return end of .110

soV

los

and the loaded pallets then pass beneath lan v material vin a known manner.

- turn bend so as todischarge the sinter, and then l which 'is mounted a transverse sprocket shaft 2 uponwhich is mounted a pair of sprocket wheels,l one sprocket wheel 3 being disposed adjacent each side of the frame'. Each of the wheels 3l is provided witha plurality of teeth 4 which engage into pockets 5 provided in pallets 6 which travel upon upper and lower runs 7 and 8, respectively, of an endless track supported by the frame. The pallets are of known type and are provided with wheels 9 which travel upon the` track, the pockets 5 being disposed betweenl the wheels of the respective pallets. Sprocket wheels 3 rotate with the shaft 2 and move the pallets 6 upwardly about a return bend 10 so as to deliver them to the upper run of the track, along which the pallets are propelled, bythe sprocket wheels,

in endwise contact.

The pallets pass beneath a hopper 11 to which `the material to be sintered is delivered in a suitable manner, usually by a swinging spout,

ignition device 12. The hopper and the ignition device and l associated parts are of known con-..

struction and need not be illustratedner described in detail. From the ignition device the pallets pass over a plurality of wind boxes, one of which is shown at 13, so as to create a downdraft through the material on the pallets for sintering this At v the delivery end of the machine, thepallets pass about a retravel along the lower run 8 of the track` in a train and in endwise contact, the pallets moving along the lower run 'successively into position to be engaged by-the teeth of the `sprocket wheels. The portion of the lower run of the track adjacentthe sprocket wheels may be inclined downwardly toward the latter as shown in Figure 2, for delivering the pallets by gravity into position to be engaged by the teeth of the sprocket wheels, or the pallets may be propelled alongthe lower run of the track in any other suitable or preferred manner.

A countershaft 14 is rotatablymounted on the frame in advance of and parallel to shaft 2. A spur gear 15 is secured upon one end of the shaft 14 and meshes with a pinion 16 driven from a speed reducing unit 17 of known type. This unit 17 Acomprises a pulley 18 driven by a belt 19 from a pulley 20 secured on the shaft of an electric motor 21. A spur pinion 22 is secured on the other end of'shaft 14 and meshes with s. spur gear (not shown) secured on the corresponding end of shaft 2. This provides means for driving the sprocket wheel shaft from the motor 21 andat proper speed. The means shown for driving shaft 2 is of known type and need not be illustrated nor described in greater detail, it sufdcing that any suitable means may be provided for.

`vto 'the upper run of the track. If this leading pallet is not in proper position lfor the teeth of the sprocket wheels to enter the pockets, but yis in position to be struck by the teeth of the sprocketv y wheels, either the pallet will be brokenor serious damage will be caused to the machine. To avoid this, I provide control means for stopping the machine when the leading pallet onthe lower run is improperly positioned with relation to the sprocket wheels and in the path of travel of the teeth thereof.

A suitable housing 25, which may be formed of sheet metal. is suitably secured to an angle bracket 26 winch is secured to frame l of the machine below and adjacent one end of sprocket wheel shaft 2. This housing encloses a switchcomprising a disc 27 of fiber or other suitable electrical insulating material, from the inner face of which extends a spacing member 28. The disc and member 28 are centrally bored for reception of a stud 29which extends into the end of shaft 2 centrally thereof. Disc 27 is thus mounted on shaft 2 coaxially therewith. Two slotsV 30 extend through disc 27 and member 28 concentrically with stud 29. These slots receive cap ,screws 31 which screw -into the end of shaft 2,

the heads of these screws bearing against the outer face of disc 27. 'Ihis provides means foi" so securing the disc to the shaft' as to permit A ring 32er brass. or othersuaame electrical `of-an initial adjustment of thedisc onsthe axis lof stud 29. 1

conducting material is mounted at the 'inner 100 side of disc 27 concentric therewith. Ring 32 is secured to the `disc' by means of screws 33 passing therethrough and through the ring, Inuts 34 being threaded onto the inner ends of these screws and bearing against the ring. A contact,

ring 35, also of brass or other suitable electrical conducting material. is set intothe outer facev of disc 27 concentric therewith and with ring 32.

Ring 35 is secured to the disc in the same manner as ring 32, by means of screws 36 and asso- -110 against strip 32, one of the screws 36 passing -ll throughthe strip 37 at the other end thereof which may be slightly thickened as in Figure 7.

The outer or head ends ofthe screws 33 vare conveniently rounded slightly and provide spaced ber to the teeth of the respective sprocket wheels. AV block 40 of ilber or other suitable electrical insulating material is bolted' or otherwise suitably secured'to .a bracket 41, which, in turn, is

contacts, these contacts corresponding in numsuitably` secured to bracket 26. The block 40 is'l25 provided in its inner face with a transversely extending groove 42. This groove receives a short finger 43 bent outwardly from the lower end of a brush 44 in the form of a leaf spring, which brush is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to 180 block 40. At its upper end brush 44 is bent at right angles to provide a finger 45 disposed to contact the heads of screws 83 in the rotation of disc 27 with shaft 2. A second brush 46 similar manner as brush 44, brush 46 being disposed to contact ring 35. In the rotation of disc 27, brush 44 makes intermittent contact with the heads of the screws 33 and :brush 46, is in continuous Y to brush 44 is mounted upon mock 4o m the same las contact with the strip 35. The disc 27 and brushes 140 44A and 46 constitute a sprocket switch whichv cooperates with a track switch in a manner to.V bedescribed. v

A housing 50 of box-like construction is suitably secured to frame 1, as by means of screws 51 passing through the inner side wall of the housing and screwing intothe frame. The outer side of the housing is closed by a removable cover plate 52 for ready access to the interior l of the housing.. A lever 53 is pivotally mounted 15.9

' front lto back of housing 50 and through a lug depending from lever- 53, the ends of this pin extending through the front and the back walls -of the housing. A pair of brackets 56 are secured to the under face of the outer end of lever 53 and receive between them an feye 57 at the upper end of a rod 58, this eye receiving a pin 59 which passes through the brackets 56 and pivotally connects the upper en'd-of the rod thereto. A weight 60 screws onto the lower end of rod 58 and is held against rotation relative thereto by a' `lain nut 6r. Theweight 60 provides. in connection with the rod 58 and associated parts, yielding means for holding the outer end of le- `ver 53 depressed so as to normally hold the lever, 'at a point thereof inwardly beyond pin 54adjacent inner wall 62 o'fjhousing 50 at the top of an opening 63 provided through this wall to accommodate the lever. i

IA sleeve 64.is slidably mounted on rod 58, upw'ard movement of this'sleeve on the rod being limited by 'an abutment 65 inthe form of a'nut screvliing onto the rod, this nut 65 being held in adjustment by a cooperating jam nut 66.' A switch arm.67. of elongated U-shape inplan, is pivotally mounted at its outer end upon pins -68 which project from sleeve 64 at diametrically 'opposite points thereof and extend through the lateral elements of ann 67. This arm 67 is pivoted intermediate its ends on a vpin 69 which extends therethrough, the ends of this pin extending through the frontend the back walls of housing 50. Y l

A block 70 of iiber or, other suitableelectrical insulating material-is secured by a -pin 71 in a switch arm 67 at the inner end thereof. A contact strip 72 of brass or other suitable conducting material is secured by means of a screw 73 to the under face of block 70 and projects beyond the sides of the block. 'This strip 72 is disposedto contact the heads of two screws 74 carried by a plate of linsulating material 75 suitably secured to the lower end of housing 50, when arm 67 isV moved into closed position. A tension spring 76 is attached at its upper end 'to a bar 77 I- extending across the housing andl suitably secured to the walls thereof. the lowerend of this spring engagingthrough a bail 78, the ends of which are hooked over pins 68. This spring nor- -mally holds sleeve 64 in contactlwith the abutment member or nut 65 and also serves, when ..leadingpalletofthetrain the inner end of switch arm 67 is in lowered or closed position, to hold contact strip 72 in con v tact .with'the screws 74 if the outer end of lever'v 53 is raised sumcientlyto move rod 58 upwardly through sleeve 64. -In this manner I accommodate variations in the extent of movement of 53 in switch closing direction while assur between strip 72 and the.

um proper contact A trip pim so a bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the inner eniof lever 63. This plate is of lesslength ,than thedistanoe between-the front and theA back wheels of a pallet, and of vgreater length than thedistance-between rthe back .wheel of a pallet andthe front wheel ofl the next` adjacent pallet in endwise contact there-- wlth. Plate- 80 il arranged iii the path-01' travel of 'the wheels of the pallets moving along-the lowerrun8oi.'tnetrack,an

d the back wheeis of the of -pallets on the lower t is prperly Doeibelbe'tween the front and wnsnmaicmmg amate man intermediate its ends, on a pin 54 extending -from is'lodisposedl'asto' meemaak.

of the sprocket wheels. The disposition of plate 60 is also such that if the leading pallet on the lower run is not suillciently advanced -to `receive in the pockets thereof the teeth-of the sprocket wheels, the front wheels -of this leading pallet will remain upon the plate and will hold it depressed, if the pallet is in such a position as to be struck by the teeth of the sprocket wheels.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated diagrammatically the switch andthe motor circuits and associated parts for controlling the operation of the machine. A lead 81 connects brush 44 to one side of a suitable source of electrical energy. A lead 82 vconnects brush 46 to one of the screws 74 of the track switch. 'Ihe other screw 74 is connected by a lead 83 to one terminal of a coil 84a of a relay 84 of conventional type. the other terminal of coil 84a being -connected by a lead 85 to the other side of the source of electrical energy. Relay 84 controls the circuit'of a coil 86 of acircuit breaker 87 of known type interposed in the circuit of motor 21, with which is associated a controller 88 of known type. Normally, the cir- -cuit of coil 84a isvopen with-.the relay 84 closed,

so that coil 86 is energized and maintains circuit breaker 87 closed, thus closing the motor circuit which is then controlled by the controller 88. When the circuit of coil 84a is closed, the relay is opened, thusdeenergizing coil 86 and causing opening of the circuit breaker 87. 'I'his lOlA opens the circuit of motor 21- and stops the operation of the machine.l The screws 33 of disc 27 are disposed in approximate alignment radially of the disc with the teeth voi lthe adjacent sprocket wheel 3. Brush 44 is 110 so disposed, and the screws 33 are so spaced, that this brush contacts one of the screws immediately after the leadingpallet on the lower run has moved into proper position for engagement with the sprocket wheel, and remains out of contact with anysof the screwsf33 during travel of the back wheel of this leading pallet and the front wheel fof the next adjacent pallet over the trip plate. In this manner, the sprocket switch and the track switch are alternately closed and opened in opposite relation so that, in the normal operation of the machine, these two switches are not both closed at the same time. Since these switches are connected in series, as in'Figure 4,

the circuit of coil 84a of the relay remains open 125 in the normal operation of the machine and the circuit'breaker 87 in the motor circuit remains closed.

In Figure 1 0 the leading pallet on thelower run is in proper podtion to receive the sprocket tooth 4` of the sprocket wheel, this tooth being shown as entering pocket 5 of the pallet. When the palletl is so positioned, trip plate 80 is dis- -posed between the front and the back wheel of the panel; and1ever 5s a nele in the position c1185 Figure 8, by the weight 60, thus holding the track switch open. Just before the .leading pallet reaches this'position, one of the screws 33 passes j...

beneath brush 44 in contact therewith, 1 being'shownin Figure l0 as advanced slightly' -Y beyond brush 44, it being notedthat the disc 27 is rotated ina counterclockwise direction as viewed in this figure. f

by the sprocket lwheel and-the succeeding -tooth of the sprocket wheel-is moving downwardly into l positionto engage. into the pocket of the next pallet; which 'is now'the leading pallet on the lower of 'the track. At this time the trip 150- In Figure 11 theilrst-paliet has been advanced 1.45

let which -is now in position to receive in thel pocket thereof the next tooth of the sprocket wheel. In this manner the sprocket switch and the track switch are normally closed and opened `in opposite and alternate relation, the operation of these switches being so timed relative to the travel of the pallets on the lower run of the track as to assure-that the circuit of the relay coil 84a remains open so long as the successive pallets are moved into proper position for cooperation with the teeth of the sprocket wheels.

If the leading pallet on the lower run should stick in such position as to be struck by the teeth of the sprocket wheel, while being out of position for receiving the teeth in the pockets of the pallet, the motor circuit will be opened and operation of the machine stopped. This condition is illustrated in Figure 12, in which the first and the second pallets have been advanced by the sprocket wheels and-the third pallet, which is nowthe leading pallet on the lower run, is stuck with the front wheel thereof holding down the trip plate so that the track switch is closed. This leading lpallet is disposed to be struck by the tooth 4 of the sprocket wheel, but is not sumciently advanced to receive this. tooth in pocket 5. Before tooth 4 of the sprocket wheel is advanced suiciently to strike the pal'- let, screw 33 of disc 2'1 contacts brush 44. Sincethe track switch is now closed, this closing of the sprocket switch closes the circuit of coil 84a of relay 84, which immediately operates to open the circuit of coil 86 of the circuit breaker 87, which latter immediately opens, thus opening the motor circuit and stopping operation of the machine before the sprocket tooth strikes the improperly positioned pallet. This avoids breakage of the pallet or possible serious damage to the machine. With the motor stopped, the leading pallet can be advanced into proper position, it being understood that the entire train of pallets on the lower run of the track is also advanced correspondingly.

If the leading pallet on the lower run of the track sticks in advance of the trip, plate, in

which position it will be disposed out of the path of travel of the teeth of the sprocket wheel,

and remains in this position, there is no necessity for immediately stopping the operation of the machine, since thel pallet is not in such a posi- -tion as to be damaged, or to cause possible damage to the machine. This is illustrated in Figure 13, in which the leading pallet is shown in advance of the trip plate. Since the track switch remains. open, the circuit of relay coil 84a remains open and operation ofthe machine continues. The train of pallets on the lower -run may. now be advanced so kas to bring the leading pallet 4into proper position to receive in the pockets thereof the sprocket wheel teeth, the

operation of the machine 'being stopped during this advancement of the train of pallets if deplate is held depressed by the back wheel ofthe iirst pallet and the front wheel of the leading sired. Thereafter the operation of the machine is continued in the manner above described.

In the case of the leading pallet being stuck on the track beyond the trip plate, it is possible that this leading -pallet may be struck by theI next following pallet and advanced into position' on the trip plate and with its leading end in contactwith the circumferential face of the corresponding sprocket tooth. Under such conditions it is desirable that the machine be stopped in order that the pallets delivered to the upper run of the track may be in endwise contact with no space therebetween, eventhough there may be no danger of breaking the. pallet or induring the machine. Since the pallet, thuspositioned, holds the trackY switch closed, the machine will be stopped promptly in the same manner as when the 'leading pallet is in position to be struckby the sprocket tooth. This permits of the leading pallet being advanced into proper position, after which the machine is again set into operation.

While my invention is particularly adapted for use in sintering machines of the character disclosed, it is also well suited, in its broader aswith means for automatically disabling the driving means when the members to be transferred are improperly positioned relativel to the means for effecting transfer of said membersf What I claim isz- 1. In combination, a sintering machine comprising an endless track having an upper run andl a lower run, a train 'of pallets traveling on said track, means for engaging the pallets on the lower run of the track and raising them to the upper run; the pallets on the lower run being movable into predetermined position thereon for engagement by said means, and means for automatically disabling said pallet engaging and raising means when a pallet on the lower run is improperly positioned relative to the engaging andraising means.

2. In combination, a sintering machine comprising a track, a train of pallets traveling on the track, means for engaging the pallets on one portion of the track and transferring .them to a second portion thereof, the pallets on said one portion being movable into predetermined position thereon for engagement by said means, and means for automatically disabling said engaging and transferring means when the first pallet adjacent thereto on said-one portion of the track is improperly positioned relative to the engaging and transferring means.

\ 3. In combination, a track, a plurality of memone portion of thevtrack is improperly positioned j' 7 6 position thereonl for when said first member is out o: said positic'in but in position to be the transfer means.-

5; In combination, a sintering machine comprising an endless track having an upper run and a lower run, a train of pallets traveling on said track, sprocket wheels atone' end of the track for engaging the pallets on the lower run and returning them to the upper run, means for drivingthe sprocket wheels, the pallets being movstruck by said elements of able along the lower runv into predetermined po-v sition .thereon for engagement by the teeth of the sprocket wheels, and means for automatically disablingk thedriving means when a pallet on the lower run is disposed out of said position but. in position to be struck by the teeth of the sprocket wheels.

6. In combination, a sintering machine comprising an endless track having an upper run and a lower run, a train of palletsV traveling on s aid track, sprocket wheels at one\end of the track for engaging the pallets on the lower run and returning them to the upper run, means for" driving the sprocket wheels, the pallets being'` movable along the lower run into Vpredetermined position thereon for engagement by the teeth of the sprocket wheels, and means for automaticalon the lower vrun first adjacent the sprocket wheels is disposed out of said position but in position to be struck bythe teeth of the sprocket wheels,` said disabling means being ineffective when said pallet Ais disposed away from the of the teeth thereof.

7. In combination, a sintering machine comprlsing an endless track lhaving an upper run and a lower run, a train of pallets traveling on' said turning them to the. upper run, means for driving the sprocket wheels, the pallets being movable along the. lower -run into predetermined prising an endless track having an`upper run anda lower run, a train of pallets traveling on said for engaging the pallets on the lower run and returning them to the upper run, means for "driving the sprocketl wheels, the pallets being movable along the lower run into predetermined the sprocket wheels, and means controlled by fravelof-the` palletsgonthe lower run for automatically'dlsabllng the driving means when the palleton the lower run iirst adjacent the sprocket It -wheels is out of said position but ln ly disabling the driving means when the pallet remaining closed when a palle sprocket wheels and out ofthe path'of travel rack, sprocket wheels at one end of the track for engaging the pallets on the lower run and reposition thereon forengagement by the teeth oftrack, sprocket wheels at one end of thev track @sagement by the teeth of fs position te be struek by the teeth er the "sprocket wheels, said disabling means being ineffective vwhen said pallet is disposed away from the v sprocket wheels andout of the path ofjtravel' of the teeth thereof. Y 9. In combination -inA a sintering machine, an endless track having an upper 'run 'and a lower run, a train of pallets traveling on said track, sprocket wheels at one end ofthe track for-engaging the pallets on the lower run andireturning them toI the upper run, the pallets on the lower run being normally in endwise contact one with the other and said pallets having pockets for reception of the teeth of the sprocket wheels, the pallets being movable along the lower run into predetermined position to receive in said pockets `the sprocket wheel teeth, means for driving the sprocketwheels, and means for auto- `f matically disabling the driving means when a pallet on the lower run is in the path of travel of the sprocket wheel teeth and .out of s aid predetermined position.

10. Incombination in a sintering machine, an

endless track having an upper run and a lower run, a train of pallets traveling on said track, 10G

sprocket wheels at one end of the track for i engaging the pallets on the lower run and returning them to the upperrun, the pallets on the lower run being movable therealong into predetermined position for engagement by the lll operation of the sprocket wheels, a second switch intermittently-closed and opened in the travel 'of the pallets on the lower run, the two switches being so timed that when one is closed the other is open and vice versa in the normal travel of the pallets on said lower run, the second switch t on the lower run is out of said predetermined position and in the path of travel of the sprocket wheel teeth, and means eective when both of said switches are closed for opening themotor circuit.

11. In combination in a sintering machine, an endless track having an upper run and a lower run', a train of pallets traveling on saidV track, sprocket wheels at one end'of the track for engaging the pallets on the lower runand returning them to the upper run, the pallets on the lower run being normally in endwise contact one a -sprocket switch intermittently closed and .opened in accordance with travel of the sprocket wheel teeth into and out of position ,to engage -the pallets, a track switch,` a trip plate on the lower run connected to the track switch for clos- 135 ingt'he latter upon depression of the plate; said plate being disposed tobe depressed by the pallet wheelsand to be between thewheels of a pallet in said predetermined4 position, thelength of the plate being less'than the distance between the 140 wheels of a pallet and greater than the distances between the adjacent wheels of.ltwo adjacent pallets, yielding means for opening the track switch and raising the trip plate, the sprocket switch being timed to open when the track switch 1 45 is closed-and" vice versa in the normal travel of the pallets onthelower run, and means for opening .the motor circuit when both of said switches I g 12.1In combination in a sintering machine, an 15o driving the sprocket wheels,

endless track having an Yupper run and a lower sprocket wheels at one end of the track for engaging the pallets on the lower run and returning them to the upper run, the pallets on the lower run being normally in endwise contact one with the other and movable along the lower run into predetermined position for engagement by the sprocket wheel teeth, means comprising an electric motor for driving the sprocket wheels, a sprocket switch comprising a member connected to the sprocket wheels for rotation therewith andI provided with contacts corresponding in number to the teeth of the respective wheels, a track switch, a trip plate on the lower run connected to the track switch for closing the latter upon depression of the plate, said plate being disposed to be depressed by the pallet wheels and to be between the wheels of a pallet in said predetermined position, the length of the plate being less than the distance between the wheels of a pallet and greater than the distance between the adiacent wheels of two adjacent pallets, yielding means for opening the track switch and raising the trip plate, said contacts being disposed to close the sprocket switch when the track switch is open and vice versa in the normal travel-of the pallets on the lower run, and means for opening the motor circuit when both of said switches are iclosed.

13. In combination; a track, a plurality of members traveling on the track, means for transferring said members from one portion of the track to another portion thereof, means comprising an electric motor for driving the transfer means, said. transfer means having projections for engaging said members and the latter being movable along said one portion of the track into l predetermined position for engagement by said projections, a switch intermittently closed and opened in the operation of the transfer means, a second switch intermittently closed and opened Vin the travel of the members on said one portion of the track, said switches being operated in opposite relation in the normal travel of the members and said second switch remaining closed when one of said members is out of said predetermined position and in the path of travel of the projections of the transfer means, and means for opening the motor circuit when bothv of said switches are closed.

14. In combination, a track, a plurality of members traveling on the track, means for transferring said members from one portion of the track to another portion thereof, means comprising an electric motor for driving the transfer means, said transfer means having projections for engaging said members and the latter being movable along said one portion of the track into predetermined position for engagement by said projections, a switch actuated by the transfer means and intermittently closed and opened in 100. 'the operation thereof, a second switch actuated by said members and intermittently-closed and opened in the travel thereof on said one portion of the track, said switches being operated in oppo site relation in the normal travel of the members and said second switch remaining closed when one of said members is out of said predetermined position and/in the path of travel of the projections of the transfer means, and means for opening the motor circuit when both of said switches are closed.

RAYMOND C. MAGEE.

ias 

